Northumberland, UK - ------------------------
Salvo has been asked to suggest a creosote clause for dealers to use on sales invoices and on posters in yards, required since June 1st when a new EU directive restricting the use of reclaimed wood treated with creosote became law. Salvo suggests that the clause should read as follows:

'EU law forbids the use of reclaimed wood treated with creosote inside buildings, in toys, in playgrounds, in gardens where there is a risk of frequent skin contact, or in garden furniture. Directive 2001/90/EC and 76/769/EEC (Creosote)'

Railway sleepers can still be used for raised beds, provided a flower bed is placed in front of them, or ivy grown on the sides, to prevent frequent skin contact. Raised beds for wheelchair gardening are fine provided the sides of the sleepers are ivy clad, and the top of the sleepers are covered. For example, use a plank of non-creosoted wood or flat tile coping drilled and nailed.

The directive will be enforced by trading standards officers who are normally sympathetic provided dealers inform customers.

Salvo Code dealers have already signed up to a toxicity clause allowing the sale of reclaimed timber impregnated with timber treatments that are 'traditional to its historical use'.

Creosote was used as a traditional timber treatment in railway sleepers and telegraph poles in the UK for over a hundred years.

For more about the directive and its reasons see the link to our February story below.

[creosoto, créosote, creosota, Kreosot

21 Feb 2003 sn23407 'UK railway sleeper ban latest'

Story Type:  News

ID: 9495